Repeating exercising device



y 1963 e. HJELTE ET AL 3,090,617

REPEATING EXERCISING DEVICE Filed April 2, 1962 2 heets-Sh e 1 GEORGE#054725 M/LEs H. BAER INVENTORS A eE/vr y 1963 e. HJELTE ETAL 3,090,617

REPEATING EXERCISING DEVICE Filed April 2, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 GEORGEH/EL TE 44/455 H. BAER INVENTORS AGENT United States Patent 3,096,617REPEATING EXERCESHNG DEVICE George Hjelte, 4468 Dundee Drive, and MitesH. Baer, 9406 Goebel Ave., both of Los Angeles, (Ialif. Filed Apr. 2,1962, Ser. No. 184,299 9 flaims. (61. 272-44) This invention relates toa repeating exercising device and more particularly to a gravityactuated ride device having an automatic return to initial startposition.

Many attempts have been made to provide a practical trolley-like deviceoperated by gravity upon which a person can glide by the effects ofgravity from a position of one elevation to another position of a lowerelevation with relatively good safety and ease of return. Mechanisms ofthis nature have generally taken the form of cable cars which areprovided with some crude form of braking mechanism to arrest the deviceat the end of the travel prior to collision with a support member.Eventually, such devices are abandoned due to the complex mechanismnecessary to provide satisfactory arresting of the device, or due to thefact that a great amount of space is necessary to provide such acable-supported vehicle with sufficient room to make a satisfactory rideavailable.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a gravityoperated vehicle device capable of being positioned in a limited spacewhile at the same time providing a satisfactory ride for a person.

It is another object of this invention to provide a gravity operatedvehicle device capable of safe arresting action with completereliability.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a gravityoperated vehicle device capable of automatic return to the initial startpoint subsequent to the arresting action.

It is another object of this invention to provide a human ride devicecapable of controlled return to its initial start point at the will ofthe operator after being arrested from the previous trip.

It is another object of this invention to provide a human ride deviceprovided with a trolley member that is balanced and properly secured tomaintain the trolley member firmly in engagement with the supportingtrack.

Other objects, purposes, and characteristic features will become obviousas the description of the invention progrosses.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a view showing the general configuration of one embodimentof this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view showing the continuous path of the device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the start, stop, and return path of thetrack;

'FIG. 4 is a view showing the details of the trolley member capable oftravel on the track;

FIG. 4A is a view showing the details of the pivot support for thetrolley member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4B is another trolley member usable on a single member supporttrack; and

FIG. 5 is a view of another pivot support member for the trolley member.

In each of the several views similar parts bear like referencecharacters.

In practicing this invention, there is provided, in one preferredembodiment, a generally circular closed path track having supportedthereon a trolley device secured to a center pivot member and balancedfor negative loads on the track during periods when the trolley deviceis not carrying a load. The negative balance of the trolley is overcomeby the weight of a person supporting himself ice from the trolleydevice, with the trolley device being returned to the original startingposition by the negative load condition upon removal of the person firomthe trolley device.

The ride device, as shown in FIG. 1, is provided with a main track 1generally formed in a circular continuous path, and is provided with aguide track 2 secured thereunder by suitable support rings 3. The maintrack 1 is supported in its proper elevated position by support poles 4secured to the main track 1 in a position to add to the support rings 3used to space the guide track 2 from the main track 1. The main track 1is provided with a fixed stop member 5 (see FIG. 2) positioned at thehighest point on the main track 1 and a return spring-biased stop member6 positioned at the lowest point on the main track 1. The spring-biasedstop member 6 is pivoted about a pivot point 7 and biased by a fiatspring member 8 to allow any trolley riding the main track 1 to pass bythe return stop member 6 in its normal travel direction, but prevent thetrolley member from returning to the highest point in the track 1 byreverse travel.

In addition to the plurality of support poles 4 utilized to support themain track 1 at a position above the ground, there is provided a centerpole 9 positioned approximately equidistant from and central of the maintrack 1 and extended up to be at approximately the median height of themain track 1. The center pole 9 is provided with a pivoting supportbearing 10 secured at the top thereof for rotation about a verticalaxis. The support bearing 19 may take any suit-able form, such as a ballbearing and plate, capable of allowing a support head 11 to rotatefreely about a vertical axis.

The support head 11 is provided with a pair of vertically extendingspaced-apart arms 12 and 13 provided with support bearing holes 14 and15, respectively, positioned to receive a horizontal axis or pivot shaft16 capable of supporting a trolley glide bar 17 for pivotal movementabout the horizontal axis. The glide bar 17 is provided with a suitablesleeve reinforcing 18 for receiving the pivot member 16 therein. Theglide bar 17 extends in a relatively horizontal attitude and in oppositedirections from the pivot member 16, with the trolley mechanism 19supported on one end thereof and a suitable balancing weight 26 on theopposite end thereof.

The trolley mechanism 19 comprises a suitable main pulley 21 capable oftree rotation on the glide bar 17 and further capable of movement alongthe glide bar 17 against the effects of the bias springs 22 and 23positioned between a pair of stop members 24 and 25, respectively, andthe pulley 21.

The stop member 25 is an enlarged member provided with :a suitablebearing hole 26 therein having its axis generally parallel to the glidebar 17. The hole 26 has positioned therein a guide arm 27 generallytaking the form of :a crank, with one end extending through the hole 26and engaging a spiral bias spring 28 and the other end being positionedgenerally below the main pulley 21 and provided with a coated hand-hold29 to aid in positioning the glide bar 17 in its proper trackingposition. The guide arm 27 is provided with a projecting pivot supportarm positioned between the hand-held 29 and the main pulley 21.Positioned on the pivot arm 30 is a guide pulley 31 which has freedom ofrotational and side movement on the pivot arm 39 except for the use of apair of bias springs 32 .and 33 utilized to maintain the guide pulley 31in direct alignment with the main pulley 21 while allowing the guidepulley 3-1 to have side movement equal to that of the main pulley 21.

It should be obvious that the guide pulley 31 is biased by the spring 28to engage the guide track 2 and thus maintain the main pulley 21 in firmengagement with the main track 1 at all times and thus position thetrolley mechanism or vehiclein engagement with the track 1. In addition,the pulleys 21 and 31 have biased control movement along the glide bar17 and pivot arm 34}, respectively, to allow for irregularities in thepositions of the tracks 1 and 2 aboutthe center pivot pole 9.

The glide bar 17 extends outwardly beyond the stop member 25 and isprovided with a support plate 34 secured thereto having an opening 35therein for receiving a support rod 36 having formed on the end thereofa handhold portion 37 to be utilized by a person wishing to ride thetrolley device down .along its main track 1.

It should be mentioned at this time that the support members 4 areprovided with difierent angular position tops for supporting the maintrack and glide tracks 1 and 2 at the proper slope conditions to formthe apogee to perigee track contour and return path.

The operation of the device will now be described to better explain itsunique features. If we assume that the device is not being utilized, itcan be seen that the balancing weight 29 will overcome the mass ofthetrolley portion 19 and cause the glide bar 17 to seek its topmostposition in:the main track 1. This would cause the pulley 21 to ride upand over the bar stop and position itself at a point in front thereof.and at the highest position in the track 1. If a person wishing to usethe device then climbs one of the support members 4 and engages the handsupport member 37, it can be seen that the trolley is now biased by theweight of the party riding thereon to seek the lowest point in the track1 and thus roll along the slopeof the track away from the stop member 5down around the turn and past the return stop member 6, which is biasedout of position by the pulley 21 and returned to its locking position bythe fiat spring 8. The

trolley portion 19, after passing stop member 6, has sufiicient momentumto cause the device to climb partially up the track 1 toward the stopbar 5 and then return by gravity back to the return stop member 6 andthus seek the lowest point in the track 1 and come to rest. If theindividual riding the trolley then releases his hand hold on the bar 37,the balance weight 26 will cause the trolley mechanism 19 to ride up thereturn slope of the track 1 and over the cam surface of the stop bar 5and come to rest in front of the stop bar 5 at the highest point on thetrack 1. At this time thetrolley is again ready for another tour in themanner previously described.

In the device of FIG. 4B, only a single track 1 is used and the guidearm 27 is formed in the shape of ahook to prevent negative biasing ofthe glide bar 17 from causing complete displacement of the bar 17 fromthe track 1 during no load periods. Operation of this form of the deviceis substantially the same as that of the device of FIG. 4.

As an alternative, the weight '20 could be replaced by a biasing spring49 for providing the return movement of the glide bar 17 to its startingposition. FIG. 5 illustrates such a support in which the head 11 isprovided with an etxended skirt capable of a position of close fit withthe center pole 9. The lower edge of the skirt '41 is provided with areinforcing ridge 42 having an eyelet 43 for receiving one end of thebias spring 40. The remaining end of the spring 40 is inserted into anopening 44 in the bar 17.

Although the support members 4 are shown as separate members, it ispointed out that these members could be arms extending from the centralpole 9.

Since numerous changes may be made in the abovedescribed constructionwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it isintended that the invention not be limited beyond the scope ofthefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A repeating exercising device comprising:

.a continuous closed track means having a downward 4 slope from astarting position to an end position and an upward return slope from theend to the starting position;

a vehicle means positioned to engage said track means and travel bygravity when under load from said starting position to said endposition; and

biasing return means for moving said vehicle means from said endposition to said starting position upon load removal.

2. A repeating exercising device comprising:

a continuous closed track means having a downward slope from a startingposition to an end position and an upward return slope from the end tothe starting position;

a vehicle means positioned to engage said track means and travel bygravity when under load from said starting position to said endposition;

biasing return means for moving said vehicle means from said endposition to said starting position-upon load removal; and

a central pivot member positioned within said continuous closed trackmeans for pivotally securing said vehicle means to engage said trackmeans.

3. A repeating exercising device comprising:

a continuous closed track means having a downward slope from a startingposition to an end position and an upward return slope from the end tothe starting position;

.a vehicle means positioned to engage said trackmeans and travel bygravity when under load from said startin position to said end position;

biasing return means for moving said vehicle means from said endposition to said starting position upon load removal; and

a central pivot member positioned within said continuous closed trackmeans for pivotally securing said vehicle means to engage said trackmeans,

said biasing means being inthe form of a weight secured to said vehiclemeans in a position with respect to said central pivot member forreturnmovement of said vehicle means to said starting position.

4. A repeating exercising device comprising:

a continuous closed track means having a downward slope from a startingposition to an end position and an upward return slope from the end tothe starting position;

a vehicle means positioned to engage said track means and travel bygravity when under load from said starting position to said endposition; 7

biasing return means for moving said vehicle means from said endposition to said starting position upon load removal; and

a central pivot member positioned within said continuous closed trackmeans for pivotally securing said vehicle means to engage said trackmeans,

said biasing means being a bias spring secured between said vehiclemeans and said central pivot member for providing return movement ofsaid vehicle means to said starting position upon load removal.

5. A repeating exercising device comprising:

a continuous closed track means having a downward slope from a startingposition to an end position and an upward return slope from the end tothe starting position;

a vehicle means positioned to engage said track means and travel bygravity when under load from said starting position to said endposition;

biasing return means for moving said vehicle means from said endposition to said starting position upon load removal; and

a central pivot member positioned within said continnous closed trackmeans for pivotally securing said vehicle means to engage. said trackmeans,

said vehicle means having a pulley member engageable with said trackmeans, said pulley member being supported on said vehicle means forlimited movement in a direction toward and away from said central pivotmember to take care of track means irregularities.

6. A repeating exercising device comprising:

a continuous closed track means having a downward slope from a startingposition to an end position and an upward return slope from the end tothe starting position;

a vehicle means positioned to engage said track means and travel bygravity when under load from said starting position to said endposition;

biasing return means for moving said vehicle means from said endposition to said starting position upon load removal;

a central pivot member positioned within said continuous closed trackmeans for pivotally securing said vehicle means to engage said trackmeans; and

maintaining means for preventing said vehicle means from being biasedout of position from said track means.

7. A repeating exercising device comprising:

a continuous closed track means having a downward slope from a startingposition to an end position and an upward return slope from the end tothe starting position;

a Vehicle means positioned to engage said track means and travel bygravity when under load from said starting position to said endposition;

biasing return means for moving said vehicle means from said endposition to said starting position upon load removal;

a central pivot member positioned within said continuous closed trackmeans for pivotally securing said vehicle means to engage said trackmeans; and

maintaining means for preventing said vehicle means from being biasedout of position from said track means, said maintaining means being inthe form of a biased pulley engageable with the underside of said trackmeans to prevent vehicle means displacement from said track means.

8. A repeating exercising device comprising:

a continuous closed track means having a downward slope from a startingposition -to an end position and an upward return slope from the end tothe starting position;

a vehicle means positioned to engage said track means and travel bygravity when under load from said starting position to said endposition;

biasing return means for moving said vehicle means from said endposition to said starting position upon load removal;

a central pivot member positioned within said continuous closed trackmeans for pivotally securing said vehicle means to engage said trackmeans; and

maintaining means for preventing said vehicle means from being biasedout of position from said track means, said maintaining means being inthe form of a hook engageable with the underside of said track meansonly during load removal periods.

9. A repeating exercising device comprising:

a continuous closed track means having a downward slope from a startingposition to an end position and an upward return slope from the end tothe starting position;

a vehicle means positioned to engage said track means and travel bygravity when under load from said starting position to said endposition;

biasing return means for moving said vehicle means from said endposition to said starting position upon load removal;

a central pivot member positioned within said continuous closed trackmeans for pivotally securing said vehicle means to engage said trackmeans; and

stop means positioned to engage said vehicle means at positions adjacentsaid starting and end positions of said track means for preventingimproper travel direction of said vehicle means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. A REPEATING EXERCISING DEVICE COMPRISING: A CONTINUOUS CLOSED TRACKMEANS HAVING A DOWNWARD SLOPE FROM A STARTING POSITION TO AN ENDPOSITION AND AN UPWARD RETURN SLOPE FROM THE END TO THE STARTINGPOSITION; A VEHICLE MEANS POSITIONED TO ENGAGE SAID TRACK MEANS ANDTRAVEL BY GRAVITY WHEN UNDER LOAD FROM SAID STARTING POSITION TO SAIDEND POSITION; AND BIASING RETURN MEANS FOR MOVING SAID VEHICLE MEANSFROM SAID END POSITION TO SAID STARTING POSITION UPON LOAD REMOVAL.